Spine-treating device



June 8,1926. 1,587,737

W. H. TRUMBULL SPINE TREATING DEVICE Filed July 9, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ll/llll/IIIl/IIIIIIIIIllllllIl//l/ GMM/nega June 8 1926. 1,587,737

w. H. TRUMBULI.

SPINE `TREATING DEVICE Filed July 9, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T-Ez.

/4 amaca /z /c KH-.Wanna Y Patented .lune 8, 1926.

,UNITED *STATES PATENT OFFICE. y

WILLIS n. mamon, or Lo'rmxn, MONTANA.

arma-Tatum@ Davies.

Application lefl July .9,

- joints, thus relieving an abnormal conditions which may exist an generally promoting health and vigor.

With the foregoing 4in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane indi cated by line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a portion of the device showing more particularly the mounting of the adjustable head rest.

Figure 5 is a perspective view ofthe major portion of the device from which the top portion has been removed.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the portion referred to in describing Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view as indicated by line 7 7 of Fi 2.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing a iiferent arrange-ment of parts for moving the spine top treating roller longitudinally of the spine.

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a different driving means for the roller-operat#A ing means.

In the drawings above briefly described, the numeral 1 designates an elongated,shal low casing, said casin being provided with a removable top 2 having a longitudinal slot 3 along its central portion. This slot preferably opens through one end of the top 2, and resting slidably upon this end, is an appropriate headrest 4 having a lon 'tudinally disposed tongue 5 which is slidab y received in the adjacent portion of the slot 3 and if desired may be provided with longitudinal ribs 6 on its edges, engaging corresponding grooves in the edges of the slot. A transverse strip 7 is secured to the lower side of the top 2 and slidably underlies the outer end portion of the tongue 5, and a second transverse strip 8 is secured to the inner end 192s. serial' no.' 42,506.

portion of said tongue, the ends of this strip 8 s11dably underly1ng the top 2. This' construction isnmostv clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 6 and it will be seen that it constitutes a simple and effective. means for adjustably connecting the head rest 4 with one end portion o f the to of this top is preferably provided witha transverse pad 9 to engage the'thighs of the person using the devlce,y and between the pad'9 and head rest 4, the top is equipped with longitudinal pads 10 disposedv at opposite sides of the slot 3.-

. have stated that the top 2 is detachable. Thls top preferably rests removably upon the upper'edge's of the side and end vwalls of the casi-,ng body, and the strip 7, .above described, is received within one end of this body to hold the top 2 against shifting thereon. A similar strip 7 is referably provided at the opposite end of tlib top, for

reception in the other end of the casing body, and it will be seen that by making this provision, the top 2 is held against shifting in any direction, except vertically, from the lower or body portlon of the casing 1. However, whenever desired, the top may readily removed.

Adapted for movement longitudinal] of the slot 3, is a spine treating roller 11 w ich is convex in a direction transverse to said slot. This roller 11 is rotatably supported upon a carriage 12 fwithin the casing 1. This carriage may be of any desired construction, but it is preferably provided with rollers 13 to travel along the bottom of the casing, which bottom may well be provided with light, angle metal tracks 14 forsaid rollers. v

Provision is made for longitudinally moving the carriage 12, so that the roller 11 will engage the vertebrae of the spine to rock them in an advanta us manner, with respect to each other, t e rocking of each vertebra being elfected on an axis transversep2. The opposite end portion This drum may be rotated in either direc.-l ton, by any preferred means.n In most I the views, it is driven by sprocket chains 18 and sprockets 19, from a pair of hand wheels' 20 mounted at op osite sides of the casing 1 within easy reac of a person lying ulpn the device. The sprockets and sproc et chains are preferably encased by appropriate casings 2l. It desired, instead of using the sprockets and sprocket chains, intermeshing gears 19a may be employed for transmitting motion from hand wheels 20a, to the shaft or drum 17, as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 9. Moreover, the exact means shown for reciprocating the carriage 12 need not be used. For instance, the arrangement diagrammatically shown in Fig.. 8 may be employed. In this figure, 12 designates the carriage carrying the spine treating roller 11a and connected to cables 15 which are wound around an equalizing shaft or drum 22. located at one end of the casing 1, said cables being passed around pulleys 23 at the opposite end of the casing. Two drums 24 are engaged with proper reaches of the cables and are provided withhand wheels h.

By any of the arrangements shownz or by any other desired means, the carriage may be reciprocated at any speedl which the patient may desire, and the spinal column will be effectively treated by the roller 11, so that any abnormal conditions which may exist, will be rectified, and the general health and vigor of the atient will be greatly improved. As eXce ent results may be obtained from the general construction disclosed, it may be followed if desired.

However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous modifications may be.

made.

I claim:

1. A spine treating device comprising an elongated body support upon which the patient lies, said support having a longitudinal slot and being adapted to en age the ptients back at opposite sides of tie spine, a spine treating roller whose upper portion is received in said slot, said roller being of convex formation in a direction transverse to said slot, means mounting said roller for movement longitudinal] of the slot, and means for effecting suoli7 movement of the roller.

2. A spine treating device com risin a shallow elongated casing provide wit a meme? tudinal reciprocation in said casing un er.

said slot. means for reciprocatin said carriage including hand wheels at t e sides of thercasing to be rotated by the patient, and a spine treating roller mounted on said carriage with its upper portion projecting through said slot.

4. A spine treating device com risin a shallow elongated casing provide wit a top having a central longitudinal slot and A longitudinal body supports at opposite sides of said slot, a carriage within the casing having supporting rollers engaging the casing bottom, drum and cable means connected to the carriage for reciprocating it longitudinally of the casing, and a spine treating roller mounted on the carria e with its upper portion projecting throng the slot. 5. A structure as specified in claim 4; said drum and cable means having operating wheels at the sides of the casing to be rotated by the patient.

6. A structure as specified in claim 1; together with a flexible strap lying on said roller and having its ends anchored at the ends of said slot.

7. In a spine treating device comprising a shallow elongated casing provided with a top having a longitudinal slot which opens through one of its ends, and spine treating means in said slot; a head rest resting slidably on said one end of the top and havingi a longitudinally disposed tongue received slidably in one end portion of said slot, a transverse strip secured to said one end of said top and slidably underlying the outer end portion'of said tongue, and a second transverse strip secured to the inner end portidn of the tongue and slidably underlying the top.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afxed my signature.

WUJLIS H. TRUMBULL. 

